This is a big year for local government. Specifically, a majority of seats on the two county boards of supervisors will be up for election this November—four of the seven seats on the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, and three of the five Mathews supervisors. Who gets elected (or reelected) will likely chart the course for the next four years.

Local government, as we have said before, is where the rubber meets the road. While federal elections often grab the headlines, the closer one gets to one’s hometown, the services that government provides have a more direct, immediate impact on our day-to-day lives. Though we may have strong opinions about the war in Ukraine, for instance, the hours that the local convenience center is open probably means more to us right now. While the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court may have long-term implications for our rights and safety, we turn to the sheriff’s office or the fire department when our safety is in jeopardy right now.

The s...